This tip come from big wall expert Andy Kirkpatrick. Check out his excellent book on big wall climbing, “Higher Education.”
Yosemite valley or Zion in the summer can be a reflector oven on a big wall. If you find yourself in the heat, here are two easy ways to stay a bit cooler.
small folding umbrella
water mist/spray bottle
Between some instant shade and evaporative cooling, you can stay a lot more comfortable at that multi-hour belay.
Know what time of day your route will be in the shade, and plan strategically around that. Taking a nap in your portaledge in the heat of the day might be a great call.
That will give you some time to think about why most people like to climb in Zion and Yosemite Valley in the spring and autumn. :-) If you're in Yosemite in the summer and want to climb, consider heading to the higher elevation Tuolumne Meadows area.
One more option to stay cooler: a sun brim for your helmet.
